David Norris and Gary Dobson are expected to appear at the High Court when their cases are heard in open court this year

David Norris, 36, and Gary Dobson, 37, are expected to appear at the High Court when their cases are heard in open court this year.

The process will cost taxpayers an estimated £30,000 in legal aid and court costs.

A High Court judge ruled in August that Norris and Dobson, who were jailed for life last January for murdering Stephen, 18, in a racist attack, could not appeal against the convictions.

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Attack: Stuart's brother was stabbed to death by a gang

But yesterday it emerged the killers have renewed their battle.

This time a panel of three judges will decide whether or not the pair should be given leave to appeal.

Det Chief Insp Clive Driscoll, in charge of trying to bring others involved in the stabbing of black student Stephen in Eltham, South East London, in 1993, to justice said: “Norris and Dobson are continuing the appeal process.”

The pair have been moved from high security Belmarsh jail, South East London, where they began their sentences.